Container body end with reliable sealing

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container with a closure between an open body end of a container body and the edge region of a lid that can be pressed into the open body end in a sealing manner. The lid has a seal in an edge region. The body end ( 27 ) is bent outwardly by 180°, with a radius that is as small as possible, in accordance with the sheet metal thickness. The bent portion ( 27 ) rests with a first part portion ( 3 ) directly on the outer face of the container body. The end of this first portion ( 3 ), in order to form two further part portions ( 8, 11 ), is bent radially outwardly with respect to the container axis and then axially downwardly.

The invention relates to a closure of a container body. This is between an open body end of the container body, in particular a bucket, and the edge region of a lid that can be pressed into the open body end in a sealing manner—both made of sheet metal. The edge region has a seal introduced there.

Closures of this type are shown in EP-A1 1 796 981 (Impress). The seals can scarcely have a precisely parallel contact face relative to the opening edge of the container body so a high pressure on the lid and a laborious securing of the lid in its closing position are required, in particular, when it is a question of storing dangerous liquid goods. DE-A1 33 39 777 (Carnaud) illustrates, by FIG. 4 therein, together with the associated description, a container with a closure between an open body end 12 (reference numeral therein) of a container body 10 and the edge region 20 of a lid 11 that can be pressed into the open body end 12 in a sealing manner, the lid 11 having a seal 22 in an edge region and the body end provided to cooperate with the seal 22 being bent outwardly by 180° at a radius of curvature E₁/2 (see FIG. 3 therein), and the bent portion running with a first portion 33 along the outer face of the container body 10 and, at the end of this portion 33, being bent substantially radially outwardly with respect to the container axis (see 34 therein) and then axially downwardly. JP-A 2006 103771 (Riken) illustrates a “lightweight” container 2 with a closure between an open body end of a container body and the edge region of a lid 3 that rests in a sealing manner on the open body end and has a seal 11 in the edge region. The body end of the container 2 provided to cooperate with the seal 11 is bent outwardly by 180° with the smallest possible radius of curvature and the bent portion rests directly on the outer face of the container body.

The object of the claimed invention is to configure the closure at the edge region of the container body in such a way that a reliable seal with variously configured lids is easily ensured and the closure region, depending on the lid, is open to further purpose of use.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 or 10. They are included here. Likewise, the production method according to claim 18 achieves this object.

A radius that is as small as possible is formed at the bend point of the edge region of the container body, as is therefore also the narrow configuration of the opening edge of the container, which, with light pressure on the lid during closure, can thus reliably enter the seal in the edge region of the lid and can, very effectively and without effort, compensate technically caused existing surface fluctuations of the seal on the surface facing the opening edge and can improve the reliability of the seal.

“Small” relates here to the sheet metal material and its consistency, thickness and property, optionally also its coating. The sheet metal should not be damaged at the sharp bend or curvature on the surface and should “cope with” or allow the radius of curvature. In a special case, the radius of the sheet metal thickness is configured accordingly (the curvature is such) so that two sheet metal thicknesses are produced for the radial thickness of the body end, but no more than a maximum of three sheet metal thicknesses, preferably 2.5 sheet metal thicknesses.

The further configuration of the bent edge region of the container body according to claim 1 provides the possibility of being able to use it for further important purposes at different edge regions of the lid without further changes.

The method allows the production of the upper edge region of the container body. All further production steps of the dependent claims 2 to 9 can also be applied to claim 18. The lid is to be produced separately here.

Details and advantages for this emerge from the dependent claims, which are included here.

The claimed invention will be described and supplemented below with the aid of a plurality of embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an axial section of the configuration of the edge region R of the container body 1 in a preferred form.

FIG. 1 a is a detail from FIG. 1, enlarged.

FIG. 2 shows, in the same view as FIG. 1, the edge region of the container body in the closure position when using a lid 2 with an edge region formed in a conventional commercial manner.

FIG. 3 shows, in the same view as FIG. 1, the edge region R of the container body 1 in the closure position with the same lid as in FIG. 2, but with a carrying lug 12 attached to the edge region of the container body.

FIG. 3 a shows a detail of FIG. 3 with the view from the left.

FIG. 4 shows, in the same view as FIG. 1, the edge region of the container body in the closure position with a different lid 2 a, which is additionally secured with a securing lip 14 attached to its edge region.

FIG. 5

FIG. 6 show, in the same view as FIG. 1, the edge region R of the container body in its closing position with the edge region of other lids, in which a securing lip—but in different lid configurations—is also used.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the preferred basic configuration of the edge region R of the container body 1, as can be used for various conventional commercial lids, in order to achieve a simple, secure seal. The container body and lid traditionally consist of a sheet metal, thin sheet metal.

FIG. 1 shows the edge region R on its own in an axial section and FIG. 2 shows it together with the edge region of a conventional lid in the sealed closing position.

The container body 1 is, or becomes, bent by 180°, specifically with the smallest possible radius “d”, to form the upper opening edge 7 with a portion 27 at its upper end. The bending radius corresponds here—in relation to the outer face of the bend—to the sheet metal thickness of the container body 1 and the bent portion 27 of the body rests snugly with a part portion 3 on the outer face of the body. The portion 27 should be called a “bent whole portion” 27 and comprises at least three part portions (surface portions). The first bend 7 is illustrated by FIG. 1 a.

From the lower end 3 a of the portion 3 resting on the outer face of the container body 1, a bent further portion 8 is angled approximately radially outwardly relative to the axis of the container body 1, but with a smaller downward incline. This part portion 8 of the bent portion 27 forms an opening face 8 a, which facilitates the opening of the container and the function and advantage of which will be described in more detail below with the aid of FIG. 2.

At the radially outer end 8 b of the opening face 8 a (of the face 8 bent in an inclined manner), the bent whole portion 27 is bent axially downwardly. This part portion designated 11 allows a carrying lug 12 to be attached, as shown and explained using the example with the aid of FIGS. 3, 3 a.

At the axially lower end 11 a of the part portion 11, the whole portion 27 is finally bent again, specifically radially inwardly with respect to the container axis toward the axis (surface portion 13). The inner edge 13 a is preferably reinforced by rolling in. The bending edge 11 a between the portion 11 and this last part portion 13 of the whole portion 27, at the lower end of the portion 11, forms an approximately right-angled corner, which—as will be shown and explained with the aid of FIGS. 4 to 6—can be used for different lids with a securing lip 14 a or 24 a or 26 a attached to their respective edge region, in each case, as a further securing measure for the sealing point of the lid.

A peripheral bead 1 b on the container body, in cooperation with a corresponding bead 2 c on the cylindrical portion of the lid 2, can also undertake a securing of this type of the sealing position, as shown in FIG. 2 (closing position of the edge region of the lid and of the body end).

FIG. 2 also shows the general cooperation of the edge region of a standard lid 2 with the preferred configuration of the edge region R of the container body according to FIG. 1.

The standard lid 2 has an outwardly bent edge region 2 a, the outer edge portion of which is rolled in downwardly and radially inwardly 2 b. A seal 4 (made of a sealing compound) is introduced from below into the edge region. The opening edge 7 that is as narrow as possible enters easily and deeply enough into said seal, in order to reliably render any thickness deviation present of the seal 4 ineffective over the periphery of the container for the whole seal and to easily achieve a reliable seal.

During this press-in process of the lid 2, the rolled-in edge 2 b of the lid, leaving a narrow gap 9, arrives tightly over the surface portion 8, which is slightly inclined and points outwardly and which is intended to facilitate the opening of the lid and is therefore called an “opening face” 8 a. For opening, the flat end, for example of a screwdriver, can be inserted in the gap 9 and the lid can be pressed off by turning the tool. It is sufficient here to press it off with the tool, which can be inserted at a plurality of points of the periphery of the container 1, to such an extent that the peripheral bead 2 c of the lid is pushed out of the peripheral bead 1 b in the body wall 1 of the container. The part portions 11 and 13 of the bent whole portion 27 of the container edge that are located below the surface portion 8 contribute here to the adequate reinforcement of the opening face 8 a being used as an abutment for the opening tool—not shown.

FIG. 3 shows a further functioning possibility for the bent portion 27 of the container edge. A conventional carrying lug 12 can be attached to the surface portion 11 bent downwardly parallel to the container axis. For this purpose, openings 12 a, as shown in plan view in FIG. 3 a, can be introduced at, for example, two diametrically arranged points of the third part portion 11 running peripherally. This applies to the same extent to other holding means suitable for the attachment of a carrying lug.

Further functioning possibilities are shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 shows the use of the bent portion 27 of the body edge in conjunction with a lid 20, the outwardly bent edge region 20 a of which that receives the seal 4 having, at its outer edge portion 20 b, a collar-like element 14, which preferably extends over the whole lid periphery, with a securing lip 14 a provided in the lower end region, which engages under the bending edge 11 a at the lower end of the surface portion 11 of the bent whole portion 27 to axially secure the lid in the closing position. The portion 14 b of the element 14 located therebelow can be pulled radially outwardly to easily open the container 1, so the securing effect 14 a/11 a is eliminated.

FIG. 5 shows the cooperation of the body edge R with a type of lid, which has a similar function to the lid according to FIG. 4. However, in this lid 21, the edge region of the lid is not angled outwardly, but curved upwardly in a hook-like manner 21 a as a fastening point for the element 24, which holds the seal 4 a in a groove and—like the lid according to FIG. 4—has a securing lip 24 a cooperating with the bending edge 11 a at the lower end of a collar of the element 24.

The cooperation of the bending edge 11 with a securing lip 26 a is also shown in FIG. 6. However, this concerns the lip of a securing ring 25, which engages in the lid 2 corresponding to the lid in FIG. 2 and engages over the opening edge of the container body and the lid with a connecting portion 25 a and, at the lower end of its adjacent, outer casing 26, has the securing lip 26 a (or a plurality of holding elements). The securing ring 25 is used for the transportation of dangerous goods and has to be destroyed to open the container.

It is clear from the various applications shown and described of the closure that the configuration of the body end according to FIG. 1 allows a reliable closure for very varied types of lid, is very stable and also allows good axial securing of the closure. 

1. Container with a closing between an open body end of a container body (1) and an edge region (2 a) of a lid (2) configured to be sealingly pressed into the open body end, wherein the lid (2) has a seal (4) in the edge region; the body end—provided to cooperate with the seal (4)—is bent outwardly by 180° with a smallest possible radius of curvature or a largest possible curvature at a first bending point (7), and the whole bent portion (27) rests with a first part portion (3) directly on an outer face of the container body (1), is bent from a container axis substantially radially outwards at an end of the first part portion (3) and is then bent axially downwards, to form two further part portions (8, 11).
 2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the whole outwardly bent portion (27), at a spacing below the first bending point, as the opening edge (7), is angled radially outwardly relative to the container axis, preferably inclined slightly downwardly, with respect to an opening face (8 a) facilitating the opening of the container, the axial spacing of said opening face from the opening edge (7) being selected such that when the lid (2) is pressed in in a sealing manner, the opening face (8 a) lies under a lower, rolled-in edge (2 b) of the lid edge region (2 a) with the formation of a gap (9) suitable for the insertion of a flat opening tool.
 3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the edge region of the container body at the end of the opening face (8 a) parallel to the container axis is bent slightly downwardly (8 b), and this part portion (11) is provided at opposing points with fastening elements suitable for the attachment of a carrying lug (12), in particular with perforations (12 a).
 4. Container according to claim 3, wherein the downwardly bent part portion (11), at its lower end, is bent in the radial direction with respect to the container axis toward the axis with the formation of an approximately right-angled corner (11 a), by means of which, when the lid (2) is pressed on, a securing lip (14 a, 24 a, 26 a) connected to the lid and being used to axially secure the sealing point of the lid is able to grip.
 5. Container according to claim 4, wherein the securing lip (14 a, 24 a) is configured close to the lower end of a flexible holding element (14, 24) connected to the lid (2).
 6. Container according to claim 4, wherein the securing lip (26 a) is configured on a securing ring (25) suitable for use in the field of transporting dangerous goods.
 7. Container according to claim 6, wherein the securing ring (25) is destructible to open the container (1).
 8. Container according to claim 1, wherein the body end is bent outwardly by 180° at the radius of curvature configured in accordance with the sheet metal thickness.
 9. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container body (1) and the edge region (2 a) of the lid (2), configured to be pressed in a sealing manner into the open body end, are made of sheet metal.
 10. Closing end of a body end of a container body (1) suitable to be closed, the container body made of sheet metal, adapted for sealingly pressing an edge region (2 a) of a lid (2) made of sheet metal therein, wherein the sheet metal lid (2) has a seal (4) in the edge region; the body end is bent outwardly by 180°, running closely (7), and the bent portion (27) rests with a first part portion (3) directly on an outer face of the container body, a further portion (8) is bent substantially radially outward at an end of the first portion (3) and a third portion (11) is bent axially downward from an end (8 b) of the second portion.
 11. Closure end according to claim 10, wherein the portion (27) is bent with a smallest possible radius (d), in particular the first bend takes place in such a way that, as the sharp zone, it has a thickness substantially corresponding to two to a maximum of three sheet metal thicknesses, to cooperate in a sealing manner with the seal (4).
 12. Closure end according to claim 10, wherein the outwardly bent portion (27), at a spacing below a first bending point (7), is angled radially outwardly relative to the container axis, preferably inclined slightly downwardly, with respect to an opening face (8 a) facilitating the opening of the container (1), the axial spacing of said opening face from the first bending point (7) being selected such that when the lid (2) is pressed in in a sealing manner, the opening face (8 a), with the formation of a slight gap (9) to insert a flat opening tool, lies below a lower, rolled-in edge (2 b) of the lid edge region.
 13. Closure end according to claim 12, wherein the bent whole portion (27) of the container body, at the end of the opening face (8 a) parallel to the container axis, is bent slightly downwardly, and the part portion (11) formed thereby at opposing points is provided with fastening elements suitable for attaching a carrying lug (12), for example with perforations (12 a).
 14. Closure end according to claim 13, wherein the third part portion (11) bent downwardly at its lower end (11 a) is bent in the radial direction with respect to the container axis toward the axis with the formation of a corner, by means of which, when the lid (2) is pressed in, a securing lip (14 a, 24 a, 26 a) connected to the lid and allowing the axial securing of the sealing point of the lid is able to grip.
 15. Closure end according to claim 14, wherein the securing lip (14 a, 24 a) is configured close to the lower end of a flexible holding element (14, 24) connected to the lid (2).
 16. Closure end according to claim 14, wherein the securing lip (26 a) is configured on a securing ring (25).
 17. Closure end according to claim 16, wherein the securing ring (25) is destructible to open the container (1).
 18. Method for producing or shaping a body end of a container body (1) made of sheet metal, comprising the following steps: the body end is bent outwardly by 180°, running closely (7); the bent portion (27) rests with a first part portion (3) directly on an outer face of the container body; a further portion (8) is bent outwards, substantially radially or in an inclined manner with respect to a container axis, at an end (3 a) of the first part portion (3); a third portion (11) is bent axially downwardly from one end (8 b) of the second portion. 